“If I wish to stand victorious in Jesus, I must do as the songwriter suggests and ‘put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.’ That God would tell me to ‘take up’ and ‘put on’ this gospel armor alerts me to the fact that I do not automatically come into each day protected by the gospel. In fact, these commands imply that I am vulnerable to defeat and injury unless I seize upon the gospel and arm myself with it from head to toe.”
In Ephesians 6, Paul commands us to put on the armor of God so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Then he rehearses for us what that armor is, piece by piece. And that armor, in short, is the gospel. Its true truth, its alien righteousness, its perfect peace. Faith alone makes it effectual. Its promise of salvation keeps our heads. The Word of God testifies powerfully to its truth. If we would kill sin, we must be dressed in gospel armor.
Heavenly Father, dress me in the full armor of your gospel that I would be ready for the battle. By it guard me against the schemes of the devil, the world and my own flesh. When fiery darts come, help me to lift the shield of faith in my Savior. I pray through Christ the King. Amen.
